Here we have the final post in out GastroPreneur Week!

It seems like almost everyday we hear about another business closing its door, a victim of the current economic times. But what seems to get overlooked amidst all the gloom and doom stories are companies that are actually thriving despite the recession. Entrepreneurs should take comfort in knowing that they can survive a tough economic climate.

Let’s face it, any company would be happy breaking even during a recession. Making a profit might actually be viewed upon as a bonus or beyond expectations, but it shouldn’t be. It should actually be the norm. When you think about it, if you have a strong brand and solid business practices, your business should not only be able to weather any storm, but thrive in it.

Although we’re currently in a bad economic climate, there are a large number of businesses that are doing well. Some are expected, such as discount stores and fast food restaurants, others are surprises, like healthcare and vacation companies. According to their latest reporting figures, here’s a list of just some of the many companies thriving during the recession. Some are large corporations, while others are small entrepreneurial firms.

1. WalMart.

As expected, this discount retail giant is doing well despite the adverse economy because of its global reach, worldwide brand image, strong cash flow and a streamlined business structure.

2. Philip Morris International.

This is a bit of a surprise because you would naturally think that tobacco products would be last on the priority list of consumers on a tight budget. But as shown in past recessions, when people are facing tough times, they want their guilty pleasures, and tobacco is one of them.

3. McDonald’s.

No surprise here. With its solid organizational structure and low priced offerings, this fast food giant has proven to be recession resistant throughout the decades. In fact, McDonald’s has actually outperformed Wall Street earning estimates and the Dow Jones industrial average.

4. Johnson & Johnson.

This is another eyebrow raiser because generally during a recession, healthcare gets hit hard. But with its diverse portfolio, it appears that this healthcare firm is holding its own. So are other healthcare suppliers, like Abbott Laboratories, which sells pharmaceuticals, baby formula, nutritional products and heart-disease devices.

5. Costco Wholesale.

During slow economic times, people still need food, personal items and everyday living essentials. But they are being more frugal in how they are purchasing them. Wholesale clubs thrive in this type of economic environment because consumers can save by buying in bulk.

6. Home Away.

This online travel website is seeing good times even though many people are postponing vacations. Their concept works by offering vacation home rentals. Those who are traveling find more value in renting a home or timeshare over a hotel room. It’s a company that has a global reach, so it can maximize its market.

7. Silicon Valley Bank.

No one would expect to see a bank on a top performing list, considering the current health of the banking and financial industry. But midsize and community banks are faring better than larger ones because they focus more on Main Street loans backed by a company’s assets.

That’s a short list of businesses thriving during this recession. Add to it companies in the toy, life sciences and Internet search engine industries. They all have in common strong organizational and financial operations that are designed to succeed in a touch economy.

It’s reassuring to know that businesses can thrive in a recession. How is your business doing? What are your keys to success? Submit a comment with your thoughts and ideas.

Adam Toren

This week we have decided to do a special “GastroPreneur Week”, and we have some excellent culinary posts for you. We start the week off with a profile on THE most Entrepreneurial Chef we could find - it’s Gordon Ramsey.

Gordon James Ramsey was born in Scotland in 1966, and during his early years this is where he was raised. During this period, his mother was the stable figure in his life. His father on the other hand moved from job to job, never settling into any particular career. His father was extremely abusive - mentally, physically and emotionally to the entire family. Gordon’s mother attempted to shield him, and his brothers and sisters from this behaviour with varying degrees of success. She eventually fled the painful domestic abuse. This was not before the family had moved from Glasgow to Stratford upon Avon in England, where Gordon spent the remainder of his childhood with renewed hope.

Gordon Ramsey is not a man to be reckoned with. He has had two careers which he has followed through with to an extraordinary competency level. As a child, Gordon had a talent for football and played for several clubs. Before he could complete his apprenticeship and get a full professional contract, he suffered several injuries which brought a halt to his dreams of footballing glory. After the heartbreak of having to give up on a professional football career due to injuries, Gordon picked himself up and turned to catering purely by accident.

This has led to one of the most extraordinary careers in cooking today. At last count he has held 16 Michelin stars. Gordon started his apprenticeship with stints at the Wroxton House Hotel; he then ran the kitchen at the Wickham Arms. Gordon then moved to London, where after this,  his career flourished and led to him eventually to join Marco Pierre White at Harveys. Gordon always had a passion for French Cuisine, and decided after nearly three years with Marco Pierre White to join Albert Roux at Le Gavroche in London’s Mayfair. Going to work for Albert Roux could easily be described as the turning point in Gordon’s career, It was this move that led him to positions in top Michelin starred restaurants in Paris, France. At this point, he remained in France for three years.

In 1993 Gordon returned to London, where he again joined a venture that involved Marco Pierre White. Gordon became the Head Chef and a stakeholder in the restaurant that would soon win international acclaim as the Aubergine. This is where Gordon won his first Michelin star some 14 months later. A second Michelin star followed shortly thereafter. In 1996 Gordon’s first cook book was published, “Passion for Flavour”.

In 1998 Gordon’s dream of owning his own restaurant became a reality when he opened Restaurant Gordon Ramsey - to huge critical acclaimin, in Chelsea. By 2001 the restaurant was the proud holder of 3 Michelin Stars. The show Boiling Point, a 5 part documentary on Channel 4 in the UK, also aired that year.

Since then Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited under the leadership of Gordon Ramsey and Chris Hutcheson has grown at a phenomenal rate. Below we have listed some of the highlights of this rise:

* 1999 – Gordon’s second book “Passion for Seafood” was published. Launched Pétrus in London’s St James’ in collaboration with Marcus Wareing. Within 7 months it had earned him a Michelin Star.

* 2000 – Gordon won The Chef of the Year Award, his third publication ‘A Chef for all Seasons’ was published, and Beyond Boiling Point - a 6 part documentary on Channel 4 in the UK also aired that year.

* 2001 – Launched his first International restaurant, Verre at The Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel. Launched Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s which was presented with a Michelin star in 2003. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay gained its third Michelin star. He founded a scholarship offering young chefs the opportunity to have their career mentored by him. His fourth book ‘Just Desserts’ was published.

* 2002 – Gordon Ramsay and Angela Hartnett re-launched the offerings at The Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair. She became the first ever female Executive Chef of a five star hotel in London and was awarded a Michelin star in January 2004 for MENU and The Grill.

* 2003 – Gordon and Marcus Wareing launched The Savoy Grill and Banquette. The Savoy Grill was awarded a Michelin star in January 2004. Launched the Boxwood Café at The Berkeley where Pétrus also moved to. His fifth book ‘Secrets’ was published.

* 2004 – Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares started on Channel 4 in the UK. Gordon’s recipe book ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Heaven’ was published. Soon after followed the ITV series ‘Hell’s Kitchen’.

* 2005 – A second series of ‘Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares’ and a US version of Hell’s Kitchen. His sixth book ‘Gordon Ramsay Makes it Easy’ was published. Launched Maze in London’s Grosvenor Square. Launched his first restaurants in Japan, Gordon Ramsay at The Conrad Tokyo and Cerise by Gordon Ramsay. The debut of Channel 4’s ‘The F-Word’ was also screened for the first time. Gordon was awarded an OBE by the Queen of England.

* 2006 – Launched his first New York restaurant, Gordon Ramsay at The London. A third series of ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ on Channel 4 and a second series of the US series of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. Series two of Channel 4’s ‘The F-Word’ . ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Sunday Lunch and Other Recipes from the F-Word’ is published. He released his tableware range by Royal Doulton. Gordon’s autobiography Humble Pie was published. Launched La Noisette in London’s Sloane Street. It won its first Michelin star in January 2007.

* 2007 – He launched Cielo at the Boca Raton resort in Florida; The Narrow in London’s Limehouse and The Devonshire in Chiswick were the first pubs; The fifth international restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Ireland. La Noisette received its first Michelin star and Pétrus was awarded its second. His book “Gordon Ramsay, 3 Star Chef” was published. “Playing with Fire” was published, the second part of his autobiography - and a must read for anyone who is interested in his businesses.

* 2008 – Gordon Ramsay Holdings and Lyndy Redding announced that they had acquired the Tante Marie Cookery School; he launched first restaurant in France at the Trianon Palace & Spa, Versailles, which now in early 2009 has already been awarded 2 Michelin stars; he launched Gordon Ramsay at The London in West Hollywood; launched Plane Food, a restaurant at Heathrow Terminal 5 as a joint venture with Stuart Gillies; Launched 2 restaurants in London with Angela Hartnett Murano in London’s Mayfair and York and Albany near London’s Regents Park.

Never one to be afraid of a challenge, Gordon Ramsey is best known at the moment for his television series Gordon’s Kitchen Nightmares, where he tries to turn around failing restaurants on both sides of the Atlantic in just a week. Running a restaurant has the highest failure rate of all enterprises, so Gordon’s success should not be measured on the longevity of the businesses in this reality TV series, but on the well documented success of his own business, Gordon Ramsey Holdings, which after twelve years has made him the highest earning chef in the world. Currently, his fortune is said to be in the region of £60-67m.

The economic slowdown does not appear to have stunted this incredible growth, with at least 2 new restaurant projects in the pipeline for 2009.

Who is your ultimate culinary entrepreneur? We want to know in a comment!

Adam Toren